New research links the keto diet to accelerated ageing and cancer risk

The ketogenic diet has gained significant popularity in recent years. By following it, one’s figure quickly changes for the better, and the scale shows fewer pounds. It must also be noted that it had its loyal supporters and opponents from the beginning. This nutritional method is often the subject of research. What have scientists discovered this time?

The ketogenic diet is based on fats and low in carbohydrates. It puts the body into a metabolic state known as ketosis. Fats then become the primary energy source, which is supposed to cause weight loss, help control blood sugar levels, and increase energy. However, new research shows that this way of eating may accelerate the body's ageing, increasing the risk of heart disease and cancer.

A research team from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio discovered that a high-fat diet causes the accumulation of damaged cells in organs. This may be responsible for the accelerated ageing of the body. The risk of heart disease and cancer then becomes more significant. A study on laboratory mice showed that rodents on a ketogenic diet had significantly more ageing cells. These cells accumulated primarily in the kidneys, suggesting that the keto diet may accelerate the ageing of individual organs. However, returning the mice to a standard diet quickly improved their prognosis and delayed cell ageing.

Scientists emphasize that animal study results cannot be entirely transferred to human realities. In their conclusion, they noted that the ketogenic diet is probably not meant for everyone.

Before switching to any restrictive diet that excludes or significantly limits certain groups of products, it is worth consulting a doctor. Long ago, it was already suggested that the keto diet could lead to excessive fat accumulation in the liver and the formation of kidney stones, and now this research has emerged. It’s better not to take the risk.